Aimable beam antenna system

ABSTRACT

A system that improves wireless communication between a wireless base station and a plurality of remote wireless computing user devices (UEs) based on aiming downlink wireless signals from a base station in a beam shaped waveform in a determined direction for each remote UE that is identified as allocated a time period for communication with the base station according to a schedule. The system includes different types of components may be employed to implement various functions, including an angle of arrival (AoA) detector component, a downlink protocol decoder component, and an antenna controller component. The AoA detector component may be employed to monitor one or more radio frequency (RF) wireless signals radiated by UEs that are communicating with the base station in accordance with an allocation schedule.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This Utility Patent Application is a Continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/379,813 filed on Jul. 19, 2021, now U.S. Pat.No. 11,670,849 issued on Jun. 6, 2023, which is a Continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/846,670 filed on Apr. 13, 2020, now U.S.Pat. No. 11,069,975 issued on Jul. 20, 2021, the benefit of which isclaimed under 35 U.S.C. § 120, and the contents of these applicationsare herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates generally to employing one or more antennas toemploy one or more beams of wireless signals to communicate with aplurality of user devices. Further, in various embodiments, angle ofarrival information for the one or more beams may be employed tomultiplex a beam of downlink wireless signals from a base stationbetween a plurality of user devices.

BACKGROUND

Mobile devices are the primary mode of wireless communication for thevast majority of people worldwide. In the first few generations ofwireless communication networks, mobile devices were generally used forvoice communication, text messages, and somewhat limited internetaccess. Each new generation of wireless communication networks hasprovided substantially more bandwidth for different types services formobile device users, such as purchasing products, paying invoices,streaming movies, playing video games, online learning, dating,multimedia messaging, and more. Also, as wireless communication networkshave advanced from first generation technology to fourth generation, thefrequency and strength of the wireless signals have increased to providegreater bandwidth with less latency. Historically, omnidirectionaland/or sector antennas have been used to communicate wireless signalsbetween wireless devices and for each generation of wirelesscommunication networks.

In modern 4G data systems, data rates are limited by the low directivityof sector antennas. With much higher directivities, a holographic beamforming antenna can provide much higher data rates to a UE bydynamically pointing to it when needed, but this requires knowledge ofthe azimuth and elevation of the UE relative to the antenna, and formore than a single UE, requires knowledge of the protocol schedule toknow when each UE requires a service beam. This invention is anintegrated system of an Angle of Arrival detector to sense each UE'sangular location, a protocol decoder to sniff the base station downlinkchannel and decode the transmit and receive schedule for each UE, and abeam manager to apply this information to effect an appropriate hologramschedule to the service Holographic beam forming antenna.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shown an embodiment of an exemplary surface scattering antennawith multiple varactor elements arranged to propagate electromagneticwaves in such a way as to form an exemplary instance of holographicmetasurface antennas (HMA);

FIG. 1B shows a representation of one embodiment of a synthetic arrayillustrating a reference waveform and a hologram waveform (modulationfunction) that in combination provide an object waveform ofelectromagnetic waves;

FIG. 1C shows an embodiment of an exemplary modulation function for anexemplary surface scattering antenna;

FIG. 1D shows an embodiment of an exemplary beam of electromagneticwaves generated by the modulation function of FIG. 1C;

FIG. 1E shows a side view of another embodiment of an exemplaryarrangement of multiple instances of HMAs;

FIG. 1F shows a top view of yet another embodiment of an exemplaryarrangement of multiple instances of HMAs;

FIG. 2A shows a top view of an embodiment of an exemplary environment,including an arrangement of a network operations center, wireless signalbase station, network and multiple wireless user devices, in whichvarious embodiments of the invention may be implemented;

FIG. 2B shows an exemplary embodiment of an aimable beam antenna systemthat is remotely located from a wireless base station;

FIG. 2C shows an exemplary embodiment of an aimable beam antenna systemthat provides an interface to directly couple RF signal communicated bya separate wireless base station;

FIG. 2D shows an exemplary embodiment of an aimable beam antenna systemthat is integrated with a wireless base station;

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of an exemplary client computer device thatmay be included in a system such as that shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 4A illustrates an embodiment of a logical flow diagram for anexemplary method of improving downlink communication of wireless signalsfrom a remotely located base station to a plurality of user wirelessdevices (UEs); and

FIG. 4B shows an embodiment of a logical flow diagram for an exemplarymethod of simultaneously multiplexing multiple downlink wireless signalsfrom a remotely located base station to two or more user wirelessdevices (UEs).

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, andwhich show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments by which theinvention may be practiced. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Amongother things, the present invention may be embodied as methods ordevices. Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of anentirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects. The followingdetailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take themeanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. The phrase “in one embodiment” as used herein doesnot necessarily refer to the same embodiment, though it may. Similarly,the phrase “in another embodiment” as used herein does not necessarilyrefer to a different embodiment, though it may. As used herein, the term“or” is an inclusive “or” operator, and is equivalent to the term“and/or,” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “basedon” is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional factorsnot described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Inaddition, throughout the specification, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and“the” include plural references. The meaning of “in” includes “in” and“on.”

The following briefly describes the embodiments of the invention inorder to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention.This brief description is not intended as an extensive overview. It isnot intended to identify key or critical elements, or to delineate orotherwise narrow the scope. Its purpose is merely to present someconcepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription that is presented later.

As used herein, “angle of arrival” (AoA) refers to a direction fromwhich a wireless signal is received from a remotely located wirelesscomputing device. Measurement of the AoA is typically performed bydetermining the direction of propagation of a wireless signal waveformsincident on an antenna array or determined from maximum signal strengthduring rotation of an antenna. The antenna array includes two or moreantenna elements, which may include one or different types of antenna,such as sector antennas or omnidirectional antennas. Generally, the AoAmay be calculated by measuring a time difference of arrival (TDOA)between individual antenna elements in the antenna array.

In one or more embodiments, the TDOA measurement is determined bymeasuring the difference in the received phase of each antenna elementin the antenna array. For example, in AoA determinations, the delay ofarrival at each element is measured directly and converted to an AoAmeasurement. One application of AoA is in determining geolocationinformation for various types of wireless remote user computing devices,such as mobile telephones, wireless tablets, wireless modems, wirelessnotebooks, wireless pagers, wireless electronic book readers, and thelike. Typically, multiple transceivers for a base station are employedto calculate the AoA of a particular remote wireless computing device'ssignal, and this AoA information is combined to determine thegeolocation of the device during transmission of wireless signalsreceived by the base station. In one or more embodiments, the AoAcalculations may be determined for a wide range of electromagneticfrequencies.

As used herein, “base station” refers to a network computing device thatfacilitates wireless communication between a wireless network and aplurality of different types of wireless computing devices employed byusers, which can also be referred to as user equipment (UE). Thewireless network can be employ any type of wireless communicationprotocols or wireless technologies.

Briefly stated, various embodiments of the invention are directed to amethod, apparatus, or a system that improves wireless communicationbetween a wireless base station and a plurality of remote wirelesscomputing user devices (UEs) based on aiming downlink wireless signalsfrom a base station in a beam shaped waveform in a determined directionfor each remote UE that is identified as allocated a time period forcommunication with the base station according to a schedule.

In one or more embodiments, an aimable beam antenna system (ABAS)includes different types of components may be employed to implementvarious functions, including an angle of arrival (AoA) detectorcomponent, a downlink protocol decoder component, and an antennacontroller component. In one or more embodiments, the AoA detectorcomponent may be employed to monitor one or more radio frequency (RF)wireless signals radiated by at least a portion of a plurality of UEsthat are communicating with the base station in accordance with anallocation schedule.

In one or more embodiments, the AoA detector component employs an arrayof antennas of known geometry that are synchronously digitized at thebaseband frequency of the received wireless signals. By comparing adigitization of each of the wave forms for the wireless signals receivedby the array of antennas using pair wise cross correlations, therelative phases between the wireless signals received by each antennacan be estimated. Further, for a single incident RF Plane wave form, arelative phase as seen by each antenna is determined by its incidentangle. This incident angle is used to determine the AoA by choosing anazimuth and an elevation that best fits the results of the pair wisecross correlations.

In one or more embodiments, the AoA detector component uses anallocation schedule provided by the downlink protocol decoder componentto sort, in time and frequency, digitized data corresponding to the waveforms of each of the received uplink wireless signals so that datareceived from each UE can be processed independently and to identifyeach UE that is communicating with the base station at a scheduled timeon an allocation schedule. In this way, the AoA detector component mayanalyze received uplink wireless signals communicated by an identifiedUE at that time without having to also process interference from othernon-identified UEs that may be simultaneously communicating wirelesssignals. The AoA detector component provides a table of identifiers foreach UE along with their azimuths and elevations relative to the antennaarray to the antenna controller component, which is associated with theschedule provided by the downlink protocol decoder component.

In one or more embodiments, the downlink protocol decoder component isused to determine the schedule employed by the base station tocommunicate with each UE. To do so, the downlink protocol decodercomponent monitors the base station's downlink (transmitted) wirelesssignals and decodes the corresponding wireless communication protocolfor wireless control signals. In one or more embodiments, the monitoringmay be continuous, periodic, or dynamic.

In one or more embodiments, different wireless signals may becommunicated by a base station with one or more identified UEs usingdifferent types of wireless communication protocols for differentgenerations of wireless communication, such as 5G, 4G, 3G, or 2G. Also,these different types of wireless communication protocols may beemployed for different types of control or user data services. Forexample, wireless signals employed for control may not requiresignificant bandwidth or speed. Thus, these control operations may becommunicated by 4G, or less generations of wireless communicationprotocols, such as, Long Term Evolution (LTE), Code Division MultipleAccess (CDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Time DelayMultiple Access (TDMA), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), WiFi,WiMax, or the like.

In one or more embodiments, an exemplary decoding process employed bythe downlink protocol decoder component for the LTE protocol performsactions in part as follows: (1) synching to the primary and secondarysynchronization signals to determine a cellular ID and time for synchingfor each UE; (2) decode a Management Information Database (MIB) todetermine the bandwidth of the base station's communication with the UE;(3) extract Physical Control Format Indicator Channel (PCFICH) todetermine control region numerology that is used in the PhysicalDownlink Control Channel (PDCCH); (4) blind decode each possible PDCCHto identify the scheduling information, and (5) employ the physicaldownload shared channel (PDSCH) information to decode a systeminformation block that is used to determine the uplink bandwidth. Theresult of the exemplary decoding process for the LTE protocol isdetermining a schedule that identifies a time and a frequency allocatedfor each identified UE for transmitting and receiving wireless signalswith the base station. The downlink protocol decoder component providesthe determined allocation schedule to the AoA detector component and theantenna controller component.

In one or more embodiments, the downlink protocol decoder componentemploys one or more antennas separate from the AoA antenna array tomonitor wireless signals communicated by the base station for controlinformation. In one or more embodiments, since the control informationis typically not encrypted, the downlink protocol decoder does not needto decrypt user data communicated between the base station andidentified UEs to analyze the control information. Further, in one ormore embodiments, the wireless service provider or carrier that controlsthe base station may not know the location of each identified UE that isin communication with the base station. In one or more embodiments, thecontrol information may include the schedule (allocation) generated bythe base station as to when an identified UE can communicate (upload anddownload) wireless signals with the base station.

In one or more embodiments, the antenna controller component is used togenerate a pointing schedule that is based on a combination of theschedule for allocating time periods to communicate with identified UEsprovided by the downlink protocol decoder component and the tableprovided by the AoA detector component. The pointing schedule includesthe azimuth, elevation, and time schedule for transmitting and receivingwireless signals with identification of each UE allocated a time periodto communicate with the base station. In one or more embodiments, thepointing schedule may also include a strength of uplink wireless signalscommunicated by identified UEs, and one or more waveforms employed by abeam forming antenna to radiate a beam of wireless signals in thedirection of each identified UE.

Also, in one or more embodiments, the antenna controller component mayemploy one or more waveforms configure the beam forming antenna tomultiplex a generated beam of wireless downlink signals at an allocatedtime period in the direction defined by the azimuth and elevationcorresponding to each identified UE listed in the pointing schedule andallocated for communication with the base station. Optionally, in one ormore embodiments the antenna controller component may provide a gain forthe beam of wireless downlink signals radiated in the direction of anidentified UE based in part on a strength of an uplink wireless signalcommunicated by the identified UEs that is less than a minimum thresholdor greater than a maximum threshold. For example, if a strength of theuplink wireless signal communicated by an identified UE is below aminimum strength threshold, the gain of the corresponding beam ofwireless downlink signals may be increased to compensate for adetermined distance of the identified UE from the antenna controllercomponent which is based in part on the determined lower strength of theuplink wireless signal. Similarly, if the strength of the uplinkwireless signal communicated by an identified UE is above a maximumstrength threshold, the gain of the corresponding beam of wirelessdownlink signals may optionally decreased to compensate for a determineddistance of the identified UE from the antenna controller componentwhich is based in part on the determined higher strength of the uplinkwireless signal.

Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the antenna controllercomponent may employ two or more waveforms to configure the beam formingantenna to generate and multiplex two or more separate beams at thescheduled time in different directions defined by two or more azimuthand elevation coordinate pairs that correspond to two or more identifiedUE at overlapping time periods listed in the pointing schedule forcommunication with the base station.

Further, in one or more embodiments, the antenna controller componentmay include two or more separate beam forming antennas that employ twoor more waveforms to generate and multiplex two or more separate beamsin two different directions defined by two or more azimuth and elevationcoordinate pairs that correspond to two or more identified UEs atoverlapping time periods allocated in the pointing schedule. In one ormore embodiments, the antenna controller component may include Nseparate beam forming antennas that employ N waveforms to generate andmultiplex N separate beams in N different directions defined by Nazimuth and elevation coordinate pairs that correspond to N identifiedUEs at overlapping time periods allocated in the pointing schedule.

Moreover, in one or more embodiments, the antenna controller may operateas a two by one Multiple Inputs Multiple Outputs (MIMO) antenna byincluding both a beam forming antenna and an omnidirectional/sectordirectional antenna to provide communication with an identified UE fromeither antenna, or both, at the same allocated time in the schedule. Inone or more embodiments, the antenna controller may employ the twoantennas to determine which antenna is able to provide optimalcommunication of wireless downlink signals to an identified UE, e.g.,highest bandwidth with the lowest latency. Once the optimaldetermination is made for the identified UE, the antenna controller mayuse the determined antenna for further communication with the UE.Further, in one or more embodiments, the antenna controller may employboth a beam forming antenna and an omnidirectional/sector directionalantenna to simultaneously provide communication of wireless downlinksignals to two identified UEs that are allocated overlapping timeperiods in the pointing schedule. Also, the antenna controller may bearranged to employ one or more policies to prioritize which of the twoantennas provides communication with each of two identified UEs thathave overlapping time periods allocated in the pointing schedule. Forexample, a policy may prioritize communication by the beam formingantenna based on preselection of one of the two identified UEs, anidentified UE associated with a particular carrier, or a firstidentified UE to respond to communication by the beam forming antenna.In this way, the antenna controller component can determine which of thetwo identified UEs that have overlapping time periods allocated in thepointing schedule may receive the wireless downlink signals via the beamforming antenna or the omnidirectional/sector directional antenna. Inone or more embodiments, the antenna controller may employ N beamforming antennas and N omnidirectional/sector directional antennas tosimultaneously provide communication of wireless downlink signals to Nidentified UEs that are allocated overlapping time periods in thepointing schedule.

Also, in one or more embodiments, the antenna controller may provide aparticular waveform to the beam forming antenna to radiate downlinkwireless signals in a widely dispersed manner, e.g., omnidirectional orsector directional, instead of in a beam for one or more identified UEsduring an allocated time period on a schedule.

Also, in one or more embodiments, the beam forming antenna may includeone or more holographic metasurface antennas (HMAs), or any other typeof holographic beam forming antennas (HBFs). An HMA may use anarrangement of controllable elements to produce an object wave. Also, inone or more embodiments, the controllable elements may employ individualelectronic circuits that have two or more different states. In this way,an object wave can be modified by changing the states of the electroniccircuits for one or more of the controllable elements. A controlfunction, such as a hologram function, can be employed to define acurrent state of the individual controllable elements for a particularobject wave. In one or more embodiments, the hologram function can bepredetermined or dynamically created in real time in response to variousinputs and/or conditions. In one or more embodiments, a library ofpredetermined hologram functions may be provided. In the one or moreembodiments, any type of HBF can be used that is capable of producingthe beams described herein.

In one or more embodiments, at least a portion of the wireless signalscommunicated between the beam forming antenna and one or more of the UEsare millimeter waveforms at gigahertz frequencies with 5^(th) Generation(5G) communication protocols. The antenna controller component combinesthe millimeter waveforms of the 5G wireless signals to provide awaveform to a beam forming antenna that includes a selectable shape,direction, strength, and/or phase for a beam directed towards adetermined location of an identified UE during a scheduled time periodallocated in the pointing schedule.

Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the antenna controllercomponent may receive downlink wireless signals communicated by the basestation for each identified UE on the schedule with one or more of basestation antennas or optional base station beam antennas coupled to theABAS. The base station antennas and/or base station beam antennas may bearranged to receive the downlink wireless signals transmitted by one ormore antennas corresponding to the base station. In one or moreembodiments, the antenna controller component may multiplex the receiveddownlink wireless signals for retransmission in a beam waveform in thedirection of each identified UE. The one or more base station antennasmay be omnidirectional or directional antennas that are arranged tocommunicate wireless signals. Also, the optional one or more basestation beam antennas may be arranged to retransmit the receiveddownlink wireless signals in a beam waveform in the direction of eachidentified UE. In this way, the antenna controller can receive beam ornon-beam downlink wireless signals communicated in 5G or 4G protocolsfrom the base station, and then multiplex the received wireless signalsfor retransmission of the received downlink signals in a beam waveformto each identified UE.

Further, in one or more embodiments, the beam antenna may include one ormore of an HBF antenna, a parabolic antenna, a spherical antenna, ahelical antenna, a yagi antenna, a horn antenna, or a phased arrayantenna. Also, in one or more embodiments, the frequencies of the uplinkand/or downlink wireless signals may vary widely, e.g., as low as 600Mega Hertz or as high as 72 Giga Hertz.

Additionally, the ABAS may provide information regarding one or more ofthe identified UEs or non-identified UEs to one or more of carriers,organizations, or other entities, for different uses, e.g., emergencyservices, security services, advertising or marketing. The providedinformation may include one or more of azimuth, elevation, carrierassociated with a UE, or strength of wireless signals communicatedbetween the UE and the antenna controller component. Also, the providedinformation may include a determined location of a UE.

Illustrated Operating Environment

FIG. 1A illustrates one embodiment of a holographic metasurface antenna(HMA) which takes the form of a surface scattering antenna 100 thatincludes multiple scattering elements 102 a, 102 b that are distributedalong a wave-propagating structure 104 or other arrangement throughwhich a reference wave 105 can be delivered to the scattering elements.The wave propagating structure 104 may be, for example, a microstrip, acoplanar waveguide, a parallel plate waveguide, a dielectric rod orslab, a closed or tubular waveguide, a substrate-integrated waveguide,or any other structure capable of supporting the propagation of areference wave 105 along or within the structure. A reference wave 105is input to the wave-propagating structure 104. The scattering elements102 a, 102 b may include scattering elements that are embedded within,positioned on a surface of, or positioned within an evanescent proximityof, the wave-propagation structure 104. Examples of such scatteringelements include, but are not limited to, those disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 9,385,435; 9,450,310; 9,711,852; 9,806,414; 9,806,415; 9,806,416;and 9,812,779 and U.S. Patent Applications Publication Nos.2017/0127295; 2017/0155193; and 2017/0187123, all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Also, any othersuitable types or arrangement of scattering elements can be used.

The surface scattering antenna may also include at least one feedconnector 106 that is configured to couple the wave-propagationstructure 104 to a feed structure 108 which is coupled to a referencewave source (not shown). The feed structure 108 may be a transmissionline, a waveguide, or any other structure capable of providing anelectromagnetic signal that may be launched, via the feed connector 106,into the wave-propagating structure 104. The feed connector 106 may be,for example, a coaxial-to-microstrip connector (e.g. an SMA-to-PCBadapter), a coaxial-to-waveguide connector, a mode-matched transitionsection, etc.

The scattering elements 102 a, 102 b are adjustable scattering elementshaving electromagnetic properties that are adjustable in response to oneor more external inputs. Adjustable scattering elements can includeelements that are adjustable in response to voltage inputs (e.g. biasvoltages for active elements (such as varactors, transistors, diodes) orfor elements that incorporate tunable dielectric materials (such asferroelectrics or liquid crystals)), current inputs (e.g. directinjection of charge carriers into active elements), optical inputs (e.g.illumination of a photoactive material), field inputs (e.g. magneticfields for elements that include nonlinear magnetic materials),mechanical inputs (e.g. MEMS, actuators, hydraulics), or the like. Inthe schematic example of FIG. 1A, scattering elements that have beenadjusted to a first state having first electromagnetic properties aredepicted as the first elements 102 a, while scattering elements thathave been adjusted to a second state having second electromagneticproperties are depicted as the second elements 102 b. The depiction ofscattering elements having first and second states corresponding tofirst and second electromagnetic properties is not intended to belimiting: embodiments may provide scattering elements that arediscretely adjustable to select from a discrete plurality of statescorresponding to a discrete plurality of different electromagneticproperties, or continuously adjustable to select from a continuum ofstates corresponding to a continuum of different electromagneticproperties.

In the example of FIG. 1A, the scattering elements 102 a, 102 b havefirst and second couplings to the reference wave 105 that are functionsof the first and second electromagnetic properties, respectively. Forexample, the first and second couplings may be first and secondpolarizabilities of the scattering elements at the frequency orfrequency band of the reference wave. On account of the first and secondcouplings, the first and second scattering elements 102 a, 102 b areresponsive to the reference wave 105 to produce a plurality of scatteredelectromagnetic waves having amplitudes that are functions of (e.g. areproportional to) the respective first and second couplings. Asuperposition of the scattered electromagnetic waves comprises anelectromagnetic wave that is depicted, in this example, as an objectwave 110 that radiates from the surface scattering antenna 100.

FIG. 1A illustrates a one-dimensional array of scattering elements 102a, 102 b. It will be understood that two- or three-dimensional arrayscan also be used. In addition, these arrays can have different shapes.Moreover, the array illustrated in FIG. 1A is a regular array ofscattering elements 102 a, 102 b with equidistant spacing betweenadjacent scattering elements, but it will be understood that otherarrays may be irregular or may have different or variable spacingbetween adjacent scattering elements. Also, Application SpecificIntegrated Circuit (ASIC) 109 is employed to control the operation ofthe row of scattering elements 102 a and 102 b. Further, controller 110may be employed to control the operation of one or more ASICs thatcontrol one or more rows in the array.

The array of scattering elements 102 a, 102 b can be used to produce afar-field beam pattern that at least approximates a desired beam patternby applying a modulation pattern 107 (e.g., a hologram function, H) tothe scattering elements receiving the reference wave (ψ_(ref)) 105 froma reference wave source, as illustrated in FIG. 1B. Although themodulation pattern or hologram function 107 in FIG. 1B is illustrated assinusoidal, it will be recognized non-sinusoidal functions (includingnon-repeating or irregular functions) may also be used. FIG. 1Cillustrates one example of a modulation pattern and FIG. 1D illustratesone example of a beam generated using that modulation pattern.

In at least some embodiments, a computing system can calculate, select(for example, from a look-up table or database of modulation patterns)or otherwise determine the modulation pattern to apply to the scatteringelements 102 a, 102 b receiving the RF energy that will result in anapproximation of desired beam pattern. In at least some embodiments, afield description of a desired far-field beam pattern is provided and,using a transfer function of free space or any other suitable function,an object wave (ψ_(obj)) 110 at an antenna's aperture plane can bedetermined that results in the desired far-field beam pattern beingradiated. The modulation function (e.g., hologram function) can bedetermined which will scatter the reference wave 105 into the objectwave 110. The modulation function (e.g., hologram function) is appliedto scattering elements 102 a, 102 b, which are excited by the referencewave 105, to form an approximation of an object wave 110 which in turnradiates from the aperture plane to at least approximately produce thedesired far-field beam pattern.

In at least some embodiments, the hologram function H (i.e., themodulation function) is equal the complex conjugate of the referencewave and the object wave, i.e., ψ_(ref)*ψ_(obj). In at least someembodiments, the surface scattering antenna may be adjusted to provide,for example, a selected beam direction (e.g. beam steering), a selectedbeam width or shape (e.g. a fan or pencil beam having a broad or narrowbeam width), a selected arrangement of nulls (e.g. null steering), aselected arrangement of multiple beams, a selected polarization state(e.g. linear, circular, or elliptical polarization), a selected overallphase, or any combination thereof. Alternatively, or additionally,embodiments of the surface scattering antenna may be adjusted to providea selected near field radiation profile, e.g. to provide near-fieldfocusing or near-field nulls.

The surface scattering antenna can be considered a holographicbeamformer which, at least in some embodiments, is dynamicallyadjustable to produce a far-field radiation pattern or beam. In someembodiments, the surface scattering antenna includes a substantiallyone-dimensional wave-propagating structure 104 having a substantiallyone-dimensional arrangement of scattering elements. In otherembodiments, the surface scattering antenna includes a substantiallytwo-dimensional wave-propagating structure 104 having a substantiallytwo-dimensional arrangement of scattering elements. In at least someembodiments, the array of scattering elements 102 a, 102 b can be usedto generate a narrow, directional far-field beam pattern, asillustrated, for example, in FIG. 1C. It will be understood that beamswith other shapes can also be generated using the array of scatteringelements 102 a, 102 b.

In at least some of the embodiments, the narrow far-field beam patterncan be generated using a holographic metasurface antenna (HMA) and mayhave a width that is 5 to 20 degrees in extent. The width of the beampattern can be determined as the broadest extent of the beam or can bedefined at a particular region of the beam, such as the width at 3 dBattenuation. Any other suitable method or definition for determiningwidth can be used.

A wider beam pattern (also referred to as a “radiation pattern”) isdesirable in a number of applications, but the achievable width may belimited by, or otherwise not available using, a single HMA. Multipleinstances of HMAs can be positioned in an array of HMAs to produce awider composite far-field beam pattern. It will be recognized, however,that the individual beam patterns from the individual HMAs will ofteninteract and change the composite far-field beam pattern so that, atleast in some instances, without employing the one or more embodimentsof the invention, the simple combination of the outputs of multipleinstances of HMAs produces a composite far-field beam pattern that doesnot achieve the desired or intended configuration.

FIG. 1E illustrates an arrangement of HMAs 120 a, 120 b, 120 c thatproduce beams 122 a, 122 b, 122 c where the middle beam 122 b issubstantially different in size and shape from the other two beams 122a, 122 c. FIG. 1F illustrates, in a top view, yet another arrangement ofHMAs 120 a, 120 b, 120 c, 120 d which form a two-dimensional array.

Also, one or more particular shapes of beam patterns, such as wide beampatterns, narrow beam patterns or composite beam patterns, may bedesirable in a number of applications at different times for differentconditions, but may not be practical or even available using a singleHMA. In one or more embodiments, multiple instances of HMAs may bepositioned in an array to produce a wide variety of composite,near-field, and/or far-field beam patterns without significantcancellation or signal loss. Since the object waves of multipleinstances of HMAs may interfere with each other, adjustment to theirobject waves may be desirable to generate a beam pattern “closer” to thedesired shape of a particular beam pattern. Any suitable methodology ormetric can be used to determine the “closeness” of a beam pattern to adesired beam pattern including, but not limited to, an average deviation(or total deviation or sum of the magnitudes of deviation) over theentire beam pattern or a defined portion of the beam pattern from thedesired beam pattern or the like.

In one of more embodiments, a physical arrangement of HMAs may beexisting or can be constructed and coupled to a reference wave source.In one or more embodiments, a hologram function can be calculated,selected, or otherwise provided or determined for each of the HMAs. Eachof the HMAs includes an array of dynamically adjustable scatteringelements that have an adjustable electromagnetic response to a referencewave from the reference wave source. The hologram function for the HMAdefines adjustments of the electromagnetic responses for the scatteringelements of the HMA to produce an object wave that is emitted from theHMA in response to the reference wave. The object waves produced by theHMAs may be combined to produce a composite beam. Any suitable method ortechnique can be used to determine or provide any arrangement of HMAs toproduce a composite beam, such as the exemplary composite beamsillustrated in FIGS. 1E and 1F.

As shown in FIG. 2A, an overview of system 200 is illustrated forcommunicating data from one or more data centers 204 which employs oneor more network operations centers 202 to route the data to one or moreremote wireless base stations 208 that communicate the data in the formof RF wireless signals to one or more user wireless devices (UEs) 212and 218. As shown, the data is communicated from one or more datacenters 204 and routed in part by one or more NOCs 202 over network 206to a plurality of remote wireless base stations 208′ that wirelesslycommunicate the data directly with one or more UEs 218, or a pluralityof remote wireless base stations 208 that employ one or Aimable BeamAntenna Systems 210 (ABAS) to multiplex communication with UEs 212. Oneor more user wireless devices (UEs) 212 are in communication with ABAS210 which is arranged to multiplex communication of one or more ofdownlink wireless signals or uplink wireless signals communicatedbetween wireless base station 208 and one or more identified UEs 212.Also, one or more client devices 205 may execute an app that providesremote analysis and control of the one or more ABAS 210. Although notshown, wireless base station 208 may also communicate directly with oneor more UEs, while also multiplexing communication through ABAS 210 withthe same or other UEs.

Although not shown, ABAS 210 may be a separate device that employs aninterface to directly communicate wireless signals with base station 208through a physical connection, such as a coaxial fiber cable, waveguide,or other type of cable capable of communicating at least uplink anddownlink wireless signals between the ABAS and the base station.

Network 206 may be configured to couple network operation centercomputers with other computing devices, including wireless base station208. Network 206 may include various wired and/or wireless technologiesfor communicating with a remote device, such as, but not limited to, USBcable, Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi®, or the like. In some embodiments, network 206may be a network configured to couple network computers with othercomputing devices. In various embodiments, information communicatedbetween devices may include various kinds of information, including, butnot limited to, processor-readable instructions, remote requests, serverresponses, program modules, applications, raw data, control data, systeminformation (e.g., log files), video data, voice data, image data, textdata, structured/unstructured data, or the like. In some embodiments,this information may be communicated between devices using one or moretechnologies and/or network protocols.

In some embodiments, such a network may include various wired networks,wireless networks, or various combinations thereof. In variousembodiments, network 206 may be enabled to employ various forms ofcommunication technology, topology, computer-readable media, or thelike, for communicating information from one electronic device toanother. For example, network 206 can include—in addition to theInternet—LANs, WANs, Personal Area Networks (PANs), Campus AreaNetworks, Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs), direct communicationconnections (such as through a universal serial bus (USB) port), or thelike, or various combinations thereof.

In various embodiments, communication links within and/or betweennetworks may include, but are not limited to, twisted wire pair, opticalfibers, open air lasers, coaxial cable, plain old telephone service(POTS), wave guides, acoustics, full or fractional dedicated digitallines (such as T1, T2, T3, or T4), E-carriers, Integrated ServicesDigital Networks (ISDNs), Digital Subscriber Lines (DSLs), wirelesslinks (including satellite links), or other links and/or carriermechanisms known to those skilled in the art. Moreover, communicationlinks may further employ various ones of a variety of digital signalingtechnologies, including without limit, for example, DS-0, DS-1, DS-2,DS-3, DS-4, OC-3, OC-12, OC-48, or the like. In some embodiments, arouter (or other intermediate network device) may act as a link betweenvarious networks—including those based on different architectures and/orprotocols—to enable information to be transferred from one network toanother. In other embodiments, remote computers and/or other relatedelectronic devices could be connected to a network via a modem andtemporary telephone link. In essence, network 206 may include variouscommunication technologies by which information may travel betweencomputing devices.

Network 206 may, in some embodiments, include various wireless networks,which may be configured to couple various portable network devices,remote computers, wired networks, other wireless networks, or the like.Wireless networks may include various ones of a variety of sub-networksthat may further overlay stand-alone ad-hoc networks, or the like, toprovide an infrastructure-oriented connection for at least clientcomputer. Such sub-networks may include mesh networks, Wireless LAN(WLAN) networks, cellular networks, or the like. In one or more of thevarious embodiments, the system may include more than one wirelessnetwork.

Network 206 may employ a plurality of wired and/or wirelesscommunication protocols and/or technologies. Examples of variousgenerations (e.g., third (3G), fourth (4G), or fifth (5G)) ofcommunication protocols and/or technologies that may be employed by thenetwork may include, but are not limited to, Global System for Mobilecommunication (GSM), General Packet Radio Services (GPRS), Enhanced DataGSM Environment (EDGE), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), WidebandCode Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA), Code Division Multiple Access2000 (CDMA2000), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), Long TermEvolution (LTE), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS),Evolution-Data Optimized (Ev-DO), Worldwide Interoperability forMicrowave Access (WiMax), time division multiple access (TDMA),Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM), ultra-wide band(UWB), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), 5G New Radio (5G NR), 5GTechnical Forum (5GTF), 5G Special Interest Group (5G SIG), Narrow BandInternet of Things (NB IoT), user datagram protocol (UDP), transmissioncontrol protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), various portions of theOpen Systems Interconnection (OSI) model protocols, session initiatedprotocol/real-time transport protocol (SIP/RTP), short message service(SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS), or various ones of a varietyof other communication protocols and/or technologies.

In various embodiments, at least a portion of network 206 may bearranged as an autonomous system of nodes, links, paths, terminals,gateways, routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers, forwarders,repeaters, optical-electrical converters, base stations, or the like,which may be connected by various communication links. These autonomoussystems may be configured to self-organize based on current operatingconditions and/or rule-based policies, such that the network topology ofthe network may be modified.

FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary schematic overview 220 of aimable beamantenna system (ABAS) 222, which is coupled to Angle of Arrival (AoA)antenna array component 224, one or more optional base stationomnidirectional/sector directional antenna components 226, one or moreoptional UE omnidirectional/sector directional antenna components 237,one or more UE beam antenna components 228, and one or more radiofrequency RF inputs (not shown) connected to one or more base stationradio frequency (RF) downlink ports 230. In one or more embodiments, aphysical connection between the one or more RF inputs and the one ormore base station downlink RF ports 230 is provided by one of a coaxialfiber cable, a waveguide, or another conductive component that isarranged to communicate downlink RF signals between ABAS 222 and thebase station.

ABAS 222 includes system controller 238 which manages the operation ofseveral components, including AoA detector component 232, downlinkprotocol decoder component 234, antenna controller 236, and optionalorientation detector component 239. AoA detector component 232 iscoupled to AoA array antennas component 224.

As shown, AoA detector component 232 is arranged to employ AoA antennaarray 224 to determine an azimuth and an elevation that best fits uplinkwireless RF signals communicated to a base station by remotely locatedUEs. Also, AoA detector component 232 may use a schedule provided bydownlink protocol decoder component 234 to sort, in time and frequency,digitized data corresponding to the wave forms of each of the receiveduplink wireless RF signals so that the data received from each UE can beprocessed independently and separately identify each UE that iscommunicating with the base station at a scheduled time. AoA detectorcomponent 232 provides a table of identifiers for each UE along withtheir azimuths and elevations relative to AoA antenna array 234, whichis associated with the schedule provided by the downlink protocoldecoder component.

As shown, downlink protocol decoder component 234 employs downlink RFsignals communicated by the base station through one or more RF inputsthat are connected to one or more base station RF downlink ports 230 todetermine the schedule employed by the base station to communicate witha plurality of identified UEs. Downlink protocol decoder component 234monitors the downlink RF signals for control information by decoding itscorresponding one or more wireless communication protocols, which insome circumstances may include a 4G protocol such as Long Term Evolution(LTE).

Additionally, an exemplary decoding process employed by downlinkprotocol decoder component 234 for the LTE protocol includes at least inpart as follows: (1) synching to the primary and secondarysynchronization signals to determine a cellular ID and time for synchingfor each UE; (2) decode a Management Information Database (MIB) todetermine the bandwidth of the base station's communication with the UE;(3) extract Physical Control Format Indicator Channel (PCFICH) todetermine control region numerology that is used in the PhysicalDownlink Control Channel (PDCCH); (4) blind decode each possible PDCCHto identify the scheduling information; and (5) employ the physicaldownload shared channel (PDSCH) information to decode a systeminformation block that is used to determine the uplink bandwidth. Theresult of the decoding process for the LTE protocol is determining aschedule that identifies a time and a frequency allocation for each UEfor transmitting and receiving wireless RF signals with the basestation. In this way, downlink protocol decoder component 234 is able toprovide the determined schedule to AoA detector component 232 andantenna controller component 236. Additionally, a similar decodingprocess, albeit different in some ways, may be employed to decode otherwireless communication protocols, such as other 4G protocols and/or 5Gprotocols.

As shown, downlink protocol decoder component 234 employs an RF input(not shown) connected to base station RF downlink port 230 to monitordownlink RF signals for control information broadcast by the basestation. In one or more embodiments, the control information is notencrypted or encoded. Further, in one or more embodiments, downlinkprotocol decoder component 234 does not decrypt or read user datacommunicated between the base station and one or more UEs. Further, inone or more embodiments, a wireless service provider or carrier thatcontrols the base station may not know a location of each identified UEthat is in communication with the base station. Also, the controlinformation may include a schedule for the base station that allocates atime period when each identified UE is enabled for communication ofwireless signals (uplink and downlink) with the base station.

Furthermore, downlink protocol decoder component 234 may provideadditional information regarding one or more of the identified UEs incommunication with the base station to the carrier which controls thebase station or another carrier for different purposes, includingemergency services, security services, advertising or marketing. Theprovided information may include one or more of azimuth, elevation,carrier, or a determined location of one or more identified UEs, or astrength of wireless signals communicated between the UE and a beamantenna operated by antenna controller component 236.

In one or more embodiments, antenna controller component 236 generates apointing schedule based on a combination of the allocation scheduleprovided by downlink protocol decoder component 234 and the tableprovided by AoA detector component 232. The pointing schedule includesthe azimuth, elevation, and time schedule for transmitting and receivingwireless signals with each UE identified to be in communication with thebase station. In one or more embodiments, the pointing schedule may alsoinclude a strength of uplink wireless signals communicated by identifiedUEs, and one or more waveforms employed by a beam forming antenna toradiate a beam of wireless signals in the direction of each identifiedUE.

Also, in one or more embodiments, antenna controller component 236 mayemploy the one or more waveforms to configure UE beam forming antenna228 to generate a beam of wireless downlink RF signals broadcast by thebase station at a scheduled time in the direction defined by the azimuthand elevation corresponding to each identified UE listed in the pointingschedule. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, antenna controllercomponent 236 may provide a gain for the beam of wireless downlink RFsignals radiated in the direction of an identified UE based on astrength of uplink wireless RF signals from identified UEs that aremonitored by AoA detector component 232 with AoA antenna array 224.

Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the antenna controllercomponent 236 may receive downlink wireless RF signals communicated bythe base station for each identified UE on the schedule with one or moreof the optional omnidirectional/sector directional base station antennas226. In this way, ABAS 222 may employ base station antennas 226 toreceive the downlink RF signals wirelessly transmitted by one or moretypes of antennas (not shown) employed by the base station (not shown).Further, the received downlink RF signals may be retransmitted as a beamwaveform that is radiated in the direction of each identified UE at thecorresponding time periods allocated in the pointing schedule. Also, theantenna controller 236 can receive downlink RF signals communicated in5G or 4G protocols from the base station, and then multiplex theretransmission of the received downlink RF signals to each identifiedUE. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, UE beam antenna 228 mayinclude one or more a holographic beam forming (HBF) antenna, aparabolic antenna, a spherical antenna, a helical antenna, a yagiantenna, a horn antenna, a phased array antenna, or the like.

As shown, optional orientation detector component 239 may be employed toidentify a physical position of the ABAS 222 generally, and morespecifically the orientation and physical position of UE beam antenna228. Although not shown, orientation detector component 239 may includeone or more of an accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, altimeter, or aglobal positioning system (GPS) component.

Additionally, as shown, system controller component 238 is incommunication with AoA detector component 232, downlink protocol decodercomponent 234, antenna controller component 236, and optionalorientation detector component 239. System controller component 238 isemployed to manage and coordinate the operation of the other components.Also, in one or more embodiments, system controller component 238 isemployed to communicate with one or more client computers (not shown)that are employed to remotely manage the operation of ABAS 222.

Also, the system controller component 238 may provide informationregarding one or more of the identified UEs or non-identified UEs to oneor more of carriers, organizations, or other entities, for differentuses, e.g., emergency services, security services, advertising ormarketing. The provided information may include one or more of azimuth,elevation, carrier associated with a UE, or strength of wireless RFsignals communicated between the UE and the antenna controllercomponent. Also, the provided information may include a determinedlocation of a UE.

Additionally, in one or more embodiments (not shown in the figures),system controller component 238 may include one or more processordevices, or embedded logic hardware devices, such as, an ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays(FPGAs), Programmable Array Logics (PALs), or the like, or combinationthereof. The one or more processor devices or embedded logic hardwaredevices may directly execute one or more of embedded logic or logicstored in a memory to perform actions to manage the operation of othercomponents. Also, in one or more embodiments (not shown in the figures),system controller component 238 may include one or more hardwaremicrocontrollers instead of processor devices. In one or moreembodiments, the one or more microcontrollers may directly execute theirown embedded logic or logic stored in memory to perform actions andaccess their own internal memory and their own external Input and OutputInterfaces (e.g., hardware pins and/or wireless transceivers) to performactions, such as System On a Chip (SOC), or the like.

Additionally, in one or more embodiments, antenna controller component236 may employ two or more waveforms to configure UE beam formingantenna component 228 to generate two or more separate beams at thescheduled time in different directions defined by two or more azimuthand elevation coordinate pairs that correspond to two or more identifiedUE listed in the pointing schedule and allocated a time period tocommunicate with the base station.

Further, in one or more embodiments, antenna controller component 236may employ two or more waveforms to configure two or more separate UEbeam forming antennas 228 to generate two or more separate beams at thescheduled time in different directions defined by two or more azimuthand elevation coordinate pairs that correspond to two or more identifiedUE listed in the pointing schedule and allocated a time period tocommunicate with the base station.

Moreover, in one or more embodiments, antenna controller component 236may facilitate an arrangement of a two to one Multiple Inputs MultipleOutputs (MIMO) antenna by using both UE beam forming antenna 228 andoptional UE omnidirectional/sector directional antenna 237 to providecommunication with an identified UE during allocated time periods in thepointing schedule. In one or more embodiments, antenna controllercomponent 236 may employ these two antennas to determine which antennais able to provide the optimal, e.g., best bandwidth with the lowestlatency to communicate downlink RF signals to an identified UE. Once theoptimal determination is made for the identified UE, antenna controllercomponent 236 may use the determined antenna for further communicationof downlink RF signals with the UE.

Further, in one or more embodiments, antenna controller component 236may employ both UE beam forming antenna 228 and optionalomnidirectional/sector directional antenna 237 to simultaneously providecommunication of wireless downlink RF signals to at least two differentidentified UEs that are simultaneously allocated time periods in thepointing schedule for communication with the base station. Also, antennacontroller component 236 may be arranged to employ one or more policiesto determined which of these two antennas provides simultaneouscommunication with each of the at least two UEs. For example, a policymay prioritize communication by UE beam forming antenna 228 with apreselected UE, or the first UE to respond to wireless control signals,when simultaneous communication with two or more UEs occurs. Based onthe policy, one UE may communicate via UE beam forming antenna 228 andthe other UE would communicate via optional UE omnidirectional/sectordirectional antenna 237. Also, in one or more embodiments, antennacontroller component 236 may provide one or more waveforms to the beamforming antenna to cause radiation of wireless downlink RF signalsomnidirectionally instead of in a shaped beam for one or more identifiedUEs during an allocated time period on the pointing schedule.

FIG. 2C illustrates an exemplary schematic overview 220′ of aimable beamantenna system (ABAS) 222′, which is coupled to Angle of Arrival (AoA)antenna array component 224, one or more optional UEomnidirectional/sector directional antenna component 237, one or more UEbeam antenna component 228, and base station 233.

ABAS 222′ includes system controller 238 which manages the operation ofseveral components, including AoA detector component 232, downlinkprotocol decoder component 234, antenna controller 236, base stationradio frequency (RF) interface component 235 and optional orientationdetector component 239. Also, AoA detector component 232 is coupled toAoA array antennas component 224.

In this arrangement, ABAS 222′ is directly coupled to RF signalscommunicated by base station 233 through base station interface 235, andoperates substantially similar to ABAS 222, albeit somewhat differently.In one or more embodiments, wireless downlink RF signals directlymonitored over base station interface 235 are used to determine theschedule for multiplexing communication of downlink RF signals withidentified UEs. Further, interface 235 is arranged to directlycommunicate RF signals with the base station through a direct couplingof the base station RF interface 235 of ABAS 222′ to base station 233.

FIG. 2D illustrates a schematic overview 240 of an aimable beam antennasystem (ABAS) 222″ that is integrated with base station 242 and operatessubstantially similar to ABAS 222 and/or 222′, albeit somewhatdifferently. Also, as shown, ABAS 222″ is coupled to AoA antenna arraycomponent 224, one or more UE beam antenna components 228, and one ormore optional UE Omni/Sector Antenna components 244.

In one or more embodiments, an antenna controller component and the AoAcomponent (neither shown) of ABAS 222″ is provided the schedule formultiplexing communication with identified UEs directly from the basestation instead of employing a separate download decoder protocolcomponent to determine and the schedule by monitoring downlink RFsignals.

Illustrative Client Computer

FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of client computer 350 that may include manymore, or less, components than those shown. Client computer 350 mayrepresent, for example, at least one embodiment of mobile computers orclient computers shown in FIG. 2A.

Client computer 350 may include processor 351 in communication withmemory 352 via bus 360. Client computer 350 may also include powersupply 361, network interface 362, audio interface 374, display 371,keypad 372, illuminator 373, video interface 367, input/output interface365, haptic interface 378, global positioning systems (GPS) receiver375, open air gesture interface 376, temperature interface 377,camera(s) 367, projector 370, pointing device interface 379,processor-readable stationary storage device 363, and processor-readableremovable storage device 364. Client computer 350 may optionallycommunicate with a base station (not shown), an Aimable Beam AntennaSystem (not shown) or directly with another computer. Power supply 361may provide power to client computer 350. A rechargeable ornon-rechargeable battery may be used to provide power. The power mayalso be provided by an external power source, such as an AC adapter or apowered docking cradle that supplements or recharges the battery.

Network interface 362 includes circuitry for coupling client computer350 to one or more networks, and it is constructed for use with one ormore wired and/or wireless communication protocols and technologies.Examples of various generations (e.g., third (3G), fourth (4G), or fifth(5G)) of communication protocols and/or technologies may include, butare not limited to, Global System for Mobile communication (GSM),General Packet Radio Services (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment(EDGE), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband Code DivisionMultiple Access (W-CDMA), Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000),High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE),Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Evolution-DataOptimized (Ev-DO), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access(WiMax), time division multiple access (TDMA), Orthogonalfrequency-division multiplexing (OFDM), ultra-wide band (UWB), WirelessApplication Protocol (WAP), 5G New Radio (5G NR), 5G Technical Forum (5GTF), 5G Special Interest Group (5G SIG), Narrow Band Internet of Things(NB IoT), user datagram protocol (UDP), transmission controlprotocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), various portions of the OpenSystems Interconnection (OSI) model protocols, session initiatedprotocol/real-time transport protocol (SIP/RTP), short message service(SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS), or various ones of a varietyof other communication protocols and/or technologies.

Audio interface 374 may be arranged to produce and receive audio signalssuch as the sound of a human voice. For example, audio interface 374 maybe coupled to a speaker and microphone (not shown) to enabletelecommunication with others or generate an audio acknowledgement forsome action. A microphone in audio interface 374 can also be used forinput to or control of client computer 350, e.g., using voicerecognition, detecting touch based on sound, and the like.

Display 371 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), gas plasma,electronic ink, light emitting diode (LED), Organic LED (OLED) or anyother type of light reflective or light transmissive display that can beused with a computer. Display 371 may also include a touch interface 368arranged to receive input from an object such as a stylus or a digitfrom a human hand, and may use resistive, capacitive, surface acousticwave (SAW), infrared, radar, or other technologies to sense touch orgestures.

Projector 370 may be a remote handheld projector or an integratedprojector that is capable of projecting an image on a remote wall or anyother reflective object such as a remote screen.

Video interface 367 may be arranged to capture video images, such as astill photo, a video segment, an infrared video, or the like. Forexample, video interface 367 may be coupled to a digital video camera, aweb-camera, or the like. Video interface 367 may comprise a lens, animage sensor, and other electronics. Image sensors may include acomplementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) integrated circuit,charge-coupled device (CCD), or any other integrated circuit for sensinglight.

Keypad 372 may comprise any input device arranged to receive input froma user. For example, keypad 372 may include a push button numeric dial,or a keyboard. Keypad 372 may also include command buttons that areassociated with selecting and sending images.

Illuminator 373 may provide a status indication or provide light.Illuminator 373 may remain active for specific periods of time or inresponse to event messages. For example, when illuminator 373 is active,it may backlight the buttons on keypad 372 and stay on while the clientcomputer is powered. Also, illuminator 373 may backlight these buttonsin various patterns when particular actions are performed, such asdialing another client computer. Illuminator 373 may also enable lightsources positioned within a transparent or translucent case of theclient computer to illuminate in response to actions.

Further, client computer 350 may also comprise hardware security module(HSM) 369 for providing additional tamper resistant safeguards forgenerating, storing or using security/cryptographic information such as,keys, digital certificates, passwords, passphrases, two-factorauthentication information, or the like. In some embodiments, hardwaresecurity module may be employed to support one or more standard publickey infrastructures (PKI), and may be employed to generate, manage, orstore keys pairs, or the like. In some embodiments, HSM 369 may be astand-alone computer, in other cases, HSM 369 may be arranged as ahardware card that may be added to a client computer.

Client computer 350 may also comprise input/output interface 365 forcommunicating with external peripheral devices or other computers suchas other client computers and network computers. The peripheral devicesmay include an audio headset, virtual reality headsets, display screenglasses, remote speaker system, remote speaker and microphone system,and the like. Input/output interface 365 can utilize one or moretechnologies, such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), Infrared, WiFi, WiMax,Bluetooth™, and the like.

Input/output interface 365 may also include one or more sensors fordetermining geolocation information (e.g., GPS), monitoring electricalpower conditions (e.g., voltage sensors, current sensors, frequencysensors, and so on), monitoring weather (e.g., thermostats, barometers,anemometers, humidity detectors, precipitation scales, or the like), orthe like. Sensors may be one or more hardware sensors that collect ormeasure data that is external to client computer 350.

Haptic interface 378 may be arranged to provide tactile feedback to auser of the client computer. For example, the haptic interface 378 maybe employed to vibrate client computer 350 in a particular way whenanother user of a computer is calling. Temperature interface 377 may beused to provide a temperature measurement input or a temperaturechanging output to a user of client computer 350. Open air gestureinterface 376 may sense physical gestures of a user of client computer350, for example, by using single or stereo video cameras, radar, agyroscopic sensor inside a computer held or worn by the user, or thelike. One or more cameras 366 may be used by an application to employfacial recognition methods to identify a user, track the user's physicaleye movements, or take pictures (images) or videos.

GPS device 375 can determine the physical coordinates of client computer350 on the surface of the Earth, which typically outputs a location aslatitude and longitude values. GPS device 375 can also employ othergeo-positioning mechanisms, including, but not limited to,triangulation, assisted GPS (AGPS), Enhanced Observed Time Difference(E-OTD), Cell Identifier (CI), Service Area Identifier (SAI), EnhancedTiming Advance (ETA), Base Station Subsystem (BSS), or the like, tofurther determine the physical location of client computer 350 on thesurface of the Earth. It is understood that GPS device 375 can employ agyroscope to determine an orientation and/or an accelerometer todetermine movement of the client computer 350. In one or moreembodiment, however, client computer 350 may, through other components,provide other information that may be employed to determine a physicallocation of the client computer, including for example, a Media AccessControl (MAC) address, IP address, and the like.

Human interface components can be peripheral devices that are physicallyseparate from client computer 350, allowing for remote input or outputto client computer 350. For example, information routed as describedhere through human interface components such as display 371 or keypad372 can instead be routed through network interface 362 to appropriatehuman interface components located remotely. Examples of human interfaceperipheral components that may be remote include, but are not limitedto, audio devices, pointing devices, keypads, displays, cameras,projectors, and the like. These peripheral components may communicateover a Pico Network such as Bluetooth™, Zigbee™ and the like. Onenon-limiting example of a client computer with such peripheral humaninterface components is a wearable computer, which might include aremote pico projector along with one or more cameras that remotelycommunicate with a separately located client computer to sense a user'sgestures toward portions of an image projected by the pico projectoronto a reflected surface such as a wall or the user's hand.

Client computer 350 may include analysis and control app 357 that may beconfigured to remotely manage operation of an ABAS that is separate froma base station or the ABAS is integrated with a base station such asshown in FIGS. 2B and 2C. App 357 may provide information and metricsregarding communication of a remote wireless base station with aplurality of identified UEs. Also, app 357 may authorize and enabledifferent types of users (e.g., technicians, customers, and the like) touse a displayed interface to quickly identify and troubleshoot technicalproblems, assist in orientation of beam waveforms generated by beamantennas to provide an optimal wireless communication downlink between aremote wireless base station and a plurality of identified UEs. The appmay also enable adjustment of particular performance parameters toimprove one or more aspects of the operation of the beam antennas. Inone or more embodiments, app 357 may employ Bluetooth, wifi, or anyother wireless or wired communication link to communicate with the RFcommunication device.

Client computer 350 may include web browser application 359 that isconfigured to receive and to send web pages, web-based messages,graphics, text, multimedia, and the like. The client computer's browserapplication may employ virtually any programming language, including awireless application protocol messages (WAP), and the like. In one ormore embodiment, the browser application is enabled to employ HandheldDevice Markup Language (HDML), Wireless Markup Language (WML),WMLScript, JavaScript, Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML),HyperText Markup Language (HTML), eXtensible Markup Language (XML),HTML5, and the like.

Memory 352 may include RAM, ROM, or other types of memory. Memory 352illustrates an example of computer-readable storage media (devices) forstorage of information such as computer-readable instructions, datastructures, program modules or other data. Memory 352 may store BIOS 354for controlling low-level operation of client computer 350. The memorymay also store operating system 353 for controlling the operation ofclient computer 350. It will be appreciated that this component mayinclude a general-purpose operating system such as a version of UNIX, orLINUX™, or a specialized client computer communication operating systemsuch as Windows Phone™, Apple iOS™ or the Symbian® operating system. Theoperating system may include, or interface with a Java virtual machinemodule that enables control of hardware components or operating systemoperations via Java application programs.

Memory 352 may further include one or more data storage 355, which canbe utilized by client computer 350 to store, among other things,applications 356 or other data. For example, data storage 355 may alsobe employed to store information that describes various capabilities ofclient computer 350. The information may then be provided to anotherdevice or computer based on any of a variety of methods, including beingsent as part of a header during a communication, sent upon request, orthe like. Data storage 355 may also be employed to store socialnetworking information including address books, buddy lists, aliases,user profile information, or the like. Data storage 355 may furtherinclude program code, data, algorithms, and the like, for use by aprocessor, such as processor 351 to execute and perform actions. In oneembodiment, at least some of data storage 355 might also be stored onanother component of client computer 350, including, but not limited to,non-transitory processor-readable removable storage device 364,processor-readable stationary storage device 363, or even external tothe client computer.

Applications 356 may include computer executable instructions which,when executed by client computer 350, transmit, receive, or otherwiseprocess instructions and data. Applications 356 may include, forexample, analysis and control app 357, other client applications 358,web browser 359, or the like. Client computers may be arranged toexchange communications, such as, queries, searches, messages,notification messages, event messages, alerts, performance metrics, logdata, API calls, or the like, combination thereof, with applicationservers or network monitoring computers.

Other examples of application programs include calendars, searchprograms, email client applications, IM applications, SMS applications,Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) applications, contact managers, taskmanagers, transcoders, database programs, word processing programs,security applications, spreadsheet programs, games, search programs, andso forth.

Additionally, in one or more embodiments (not shown in the figures),client computer 350 may include one or more embedded logic hardwaredevices instead of CPUs, such as, an Application Specific IntegratedCircuit (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Programmable ArrayLogic (PAL), or the like, or combination thereof. The embedded logichardware devices may directly execute embedded logic to perform actions.Also, in one or more embodiments (not shown in the figures), clientcomputer 350 may include one or more hardware microcontrollers insteadof CPUs. In one or more embodiments, the microcontrollers may directlyexecute their own embedded logic to perform actions and access their owninternal memory and their own external Input and Output Interfaces(e.g., hardware pins or wireless transceivers) to perform actions, suchas System On a Chip (SOC), or the like.

Generalized Operations

FIG. 4A illustrates a logical flow diagram of for an exemplary method ofimproving downlink communication of wireless signals from a remotelylocated base station to a plurality of user wireless devices (UEs).Moving from a start block, the process steps to block 402 where adownload protocol decoder component monitors base station wirelesssignals to determine an allocation schedule that identifies one or moreof the UEs that are currently communicating with the remote basestation.

Advancing to block 404, angle of arrival (AoA) information is determinedfor uplink wireless signals communicated by one or more identified UEsto a remotely located base station. The one or more UEs are identifiedin the allocation schedule provided by the base station. Also, the AoAinformation includes azimuth and elevation for each identified UEcommunicating with the remotely located base station.

At block 406, the schedule is employed to receive downlink wirelesssignals communicated to each identified UE on the schedule at theirallocated time period. Further, the process advances to block 408 wherethe received downlink signals for each identified UE are proxied andretransmitted as beam waveforms radiated in a direction defined by theAoA information and the allocated time periods in the schedule.

At block 410, different types of information may be determined regardingone or more UEs that receive retransmitted downlink wireless signalsfrom the remote base station in a beam waveform. The different types ofinformation may include a wireless service provider/carrier associatedwith the one or more UEs, a determined location of each UE, an amountand frequency of downlink wireless signals retransmitted to each UE, orthe like. Also, one or more of the different types of information mayoptionally be provided to third parties, such as wireless serviceproviders/carriers, law enforcement, fire departments. Next, the processreturns to performing other actions.

FIG. 4B illustrates a logical flow diagram of for an exemplary method420 of simultaneously multiplexing multiple downlink wireless signalsfrom a remotely located base station to two or more user wirelessdevices (UEs). Moving from a start block, the process steps to decisionblock 422, where a determination is made as to whether two or more UEsare identified for communication with the base schedule at overlappingtime periods allocated on a schedule. If false, the process loops atdecision block 422. However, once the determination at decision block422 is true, the process moves to block 424 and a beam antenna isprovided with two or more waveforms to multiplex two or more separatebeams.

Optionally, at block 426 a gain of one or both of the separate beams isadjusted based on a strength of an uplink wireless signal communicatedby one or both of the identified UEs that is less than a minimumthreshold or greater than a maximum threshold. For example, if astrength of the uplink wireless signal communicated by an identified UEis below a minimum strength threshold, the gain of the correspondingbeam of wireless downlink signals may be increased to compensate for adetermined distance of the identified UE from the antenna controllercomponent which is based in part on the determined lower strength of theuplink wireless signal. Similarly, if the strength of the uplinkwireless signal communicated by an identified UE is above a maximumstrength threshold, the gain of the corresponding beam of wirelessdownlink signals may be decreased to compensate for a determineddistance of the identified UE from the antenna controller componentwhich is based in part on the determined higher strength of the uplinkwireless signal.

Next, the process flows to block 428 where, at overlapping time periodsin a pointing schedule allocated for communication with the basestation, the two or more separate beams are radiated in differentdirections defined by two or more azimuth and elevation coordinate pairsthat correspond to the two or more identified UE. Further, in one ormore embodiments, the beam antenna may include N separate beam formingantennas that employ N waveforms to generate and multiplex N separatebeams in N different directions defined by N azimuth and elevationcoordinate pairs that correspond to N identified UEs at overlapping timeperiods allocated in the pointing schedule.

Optionally, in one or more embodiments, the beam antenna may includeboth a beam forming antenna and an omnidirectional/sector directionalantenna to provide communication with an identified UE from eitherantenna, or both, at the same allocated time in the schedule. Theprocess may employ the two antennas to determine which antenna is ableto provide optimal communication of wireless downlink signals to anidentified UE, e.g., highest bandwidth with the lowest latency. Once theoptimal determination is made for the identified UE, the process may usethe determined antenna for further communication with the UE. Further,the process may optionally employ both a beam forming antenna and anomnidirectional/sector directional antenna to simultaneously providecommunication of wireless downlink signals to two identified UEs thatare allocated overlapping time periods in the pointing schedule. Also,the process may employ one or more policies to prioritize which of thetwo antennas provides communication with each of two identified UEs thathave overlapping time periods allocated in the pointing schedule. Also,the process may optionally employ N beam forming antennas and Nomnidirectional/sector directional antennas to simultaneously providecommunication of wireless downlink signals to N identified UEs that areallocated overlapping time periods in the pointing schedule.

Next, the process moves to the return block and returns to performingother actions.

Additionally, it will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations, and combinations of blocks in the flowchartillustrations, (or actions explained above with regard to one or moresystems or combinations of systems) can be implemented by computerprogram instructions. These program instructions may be provided to aprocessor to produce a machine, such that the instructions, whichexecute on the processor, create means for implementing the actionsspecified in the flowchart block or blocks. The computer programinstructions may be executed by a processor to cause a series ofoperational steps to be performed by the processor to produce acomputer-implemented process such that the instructions, which executeon the processor to provide steps for implementing the actions specifiedin the flowchart block or blocks. The computer program instructions mayalso cause at least some of the operational steps shown in the blocks ofthe flowcharts to be performed in parallel. Moreover, some of the stepsmay also be performed across more than one processor, such as mightarise in a multi-processor computer system. In addition, one or moreblocks or combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustration may alsobe performed concurrently with other blocks or combinations of blocks,or even in a different sequence than illustrated without departing fromthe scope or spirit of the invention.

Additionally, in one or more steps or blocks, may be implemented usingembedded logic hardware, such as, an Application Specific IntegratedCircuit (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Programmable ArrayLogic (PAL), or the like, or combination thereof, instead of a computerprogram. The embedded logic hardware may directly execute embedded logicto perform actions some or all of the actions in the one or more stepsor blocks. Also, in one or more embodiments (not shown in the figures),some or all of the actions of one or more of the steps or blocks may beperformed by a hardware microcontroller instead of a CPU. In one or moreembodiment, the microcontroller may directly execute its own embeddedlogic to perform actions and access its own internal memory and its ownexternal Input and Output Interfaces (e.g., hardware pins and/orwireless transceivers) to perform actions, such as System On a Chip(SOC), or the like.

The above specification, examples, and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the invention. Since manyembodiments of the invention can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claimshereinafter appended.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is:
 1. A device for providing communication of wireless signals with a plurality of user devices (UE), comprising: a downlink protocol detector component that monitors wireless signals communicated by a base station to identify and decode a protocol for wireless control signals included in the monitored wireless signals, wherein the decoded protocol for the wireless control signals is used to separately identify each UE and determine an allocation schedule that includes allocated transmit/receive time periods in the allocation schedule for each identified UE to communicate wireless signals between the base station and each identified UE; an angle of arrival (AoA) detector component that uses the allocation schedule to determine an azimuth and an elevation for uplink wireless signals that are communicated by each identified UE to the base station during each identified UE's allocated transmit/receive time period; an antenna controller component that employs the allocated transmit/receive time period in the allocation schedule and the determined azimuth and the determined elevation for each identified UE to arrange a beam antenna to multiplex generation of a beam in a determined direction of each identified UE based on downlink wireless signals communicated by the base station to each identified UE; and a controller that performs actions, including managing operation of one or more of the downlink protocol detector component, the AoA detector component, and the antenna controller component to provide an increase in downlink wireless signals that are received by one or more identified UEs over time.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising one or more of: an interface provided by the device that is directly coupled to the base station, wherein the interface provides communication of the wireless signals between the device and the base station; or an RF input that is physically connected to a radio frequency (RF) downlink port of the base station, wherein the physical connection includes one or more of a waveguide, a coaxial cable, or another conductive component that is arranged to communicate wireless signals between the RF input and the RF downlink port.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller performs further actions, comprising: determining a gain of the uplink wireless signals that correspond to each identified UE; and employing the gain to determine another gain that is used by the antenna controller component to radiate each beam waveform in the determined direction of each identified UE.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller performs further actions, comprising: determining a gain of the uplink wireless signals that correspond to each identified UE; and employing the determined gain and the determined direction for each identified UE to determine a distance to each location of each identified UE.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller performs further actions, comprising: determining a carrier associated with each identified UE based on a determination of one or more frequencies of the wireless signals communicated between the each identified UE and the base station.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller performs further actions, comprising: providing, to one or more third parties, one or more of a determined location for each identified UE or a wireless service provider carrier associated with each identified UE or non-identified UEs.
 7. The device of claim 1, further comprises one or more of: a first non-beam antenna arranged to at least receive downlink wireless signals from the base station; a second non-beam antenna arranged to retransmit at least a portion of received downlink wireless signals from the base station to one or more of the identified UEs; or another beam antenna arranged to receive a beam waveform that is based on downlink wireless signals communicated by the base station.
 8. The device of claim 1, further comprising: an orientation detector component that is arranged to determine a physical position of one or more of the beam antenna or the device, wherein the orientation detector component includes one or more of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a compass, an altimeter, or a global positioning system (GPS) component.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the antenna controller performs further actions, including: employing the beam antenna to simultaneously radiate two or more beam waveforms in two or more different directions corresponding to two or more identified UEs based on two or more different downlink wireless signals from the base station that separately correspond to the two or more identified UEs.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein beam antenna further comprises two or more beam antennas that are employed to simultaneously radiate two or more beam waveforms in two or more different directions corresponding to two or more identified UEs based on two or more different downlink wireless signals from the base station that separately correspond to the two or more identified UEs.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the beam antenna is one or more of a holographic beam forming (HBF) antenna, a parabolic antenna, a spherical antenna, a helical antenna, a yagi antenna, horn antenna, or phased array antenna.
 12. A method for providing communication of wireless signals with a plurality of user devices (UE) by performing actions, comprising: employing a downlink protocol detector component to monitor wireless signals communicated by a base station to identify and decode a protocol for wireless control signals included in the monitored wireless signals, wherein the decoded protocol for the wireless control signals is used to separately identify each UE and determine an allocation schedule that includes allocated transmit/receive time periods in the allocation schedule for each identified UE to communicate wireless signals between the base station and each identified UE; employing an angle of arrival (AoA) detector component to use the allocation schedule to determine an azimuth and an elevation for uplink wireless signals that are communicated by each identified UE to the base station during each identified UE's allocated transmit/receive time period; and employing an antenna controller component to use the allocated transmit/receive time period in the allocation schedule and the determined azimuth and the determined elevation for each identified UE to arrange a beam antenna to multiplex generation of a beam in a determined direction of each identified UE based on downlink wireless signals communicated by the base station to each identified UE; and employing a controller to performs actions, including managing operation of one or more of the downlink protocol detector component, the AoA detector component, and the antenna controller component to provide an increase in downlink wireless signals that are received by one or more identified UEs over time.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: an interface provided by the device that is directly coupled to the base station, wherein the interface provides communication of the wireless signals between the device and the base station; or an RF input that is physically connected to a radio frequency (RF) downlink port of the base station, wherein the physical connection includes one or more of a waveguide, a coaxial cable, or another conductive component arranged to communicate wireless signals between the RF input and the RF downlink port.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the controller performs further actions, comprising: determining a gain of the uplink wireless signals that correspond to each identified UE; and employing the gain to determine another gain that is used by the antenna controller component to radiate each beam waveform in the determined direction of each identified UE.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the controller performs further actions, comprising: determining a gain of the uplink wireless signals that correspond to each identified UE; and employing the determined gain and the determined direction for each identified UE to determine a distance to each location of each identified UE.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the controller performs further actions, comprising: determining a carrier associated with each identified UE based on a determination of one or more frequencies of the wireless signals communicated between the each identified UE and the base station.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the controller performs further actions, comprising: providing, to one or more third parties, one or more of a determined location for each identified UE or a wireless service provider carrier associated with each identified UE or non-identified UEs.
 18. The method of claim 12, further comprises one or more of: employing a first non-beam antenna to receive at least downlink wireless signals from the base station; employing a second non-beam antenna to retransmit at least a portion of received downlink wireless signals from the base station to one or more of the identified UEs; or employing another beam antenna to receive a beam waveform that is based on downlink wireless signals communicated by the base station.
 19. The method of claim 12, further comprising: employing an orientation detector component to determine a physical position of at least the beam antenna, wherein the orientation detector component includes one or more of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a compass, an altimeter, or a global positioning system (GPS) component.
 20. A system for providing communication of wireless signals with a plurality of user devices (UE), comprising: a base station that is arranged to communicate wireless signals with the plurality of UEs; a device that is in communication with the base station and the plurality of UEs, wherein the device includes: a downlink protocol detector component that monitors wireless signals communicated by a base station to identify and decode a protocol for wireless control signals included in the monitored wireless signals, wherein the decoded protocol for the wireless control signals is used to separately identify each UE and determine an allocation schedule that includes allocated transmit/receive time periods in the allocation schedule for each identified UE to communicate wireless signals between the base station and each identified UE; an angle of arrival (AoA) detector component that uses the allocation schedule to determine an azimuth and an elevation for uplink wireless signals that are communicated by each identified UE to the base station during each identified UE's allocated transmit/receive time period; and an antenna controller component that employs the allocated transmit/receive time period in the allocation schedule and the determined azimuth and the determined elevation for each identified UE to arrange a beam antenna to multiplex generation of a beam in a determined direction of each identified UE based on downlink wireless signals communicated by the base station to each identified UE; and a controller that performs actions, including managing operation of the downlink protocol detector component, the AoA detector component, and the antenna controller component to provide an increase in downlink wireless signals that are received by one or more identified UEs over time. 